By Achile Danjuma
The Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday presented certificates of return to the re-elected Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Christopher Maikalangu and his deputy, Mohammed Nadabo, formally concluding the February 21 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory.
The presentation ceremony, held at the commission’s FCT office in Abuja, also featured the six area council chairmen and their deputies, alongside 62 councillors who emerged victorious in the polls, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner, Aminu Idris, described the exercise as the final stage of what he called a credible and transparent electoral process.
“I wish, on behalf of the commission, to congratulate all of you for your success at the polls. I urge you to see your mandates as a call to duty to the people.
“Your election is a testament to the trust imposed on you by the people. I encourage you to embrace your mandate with a sense of duty, working tirelessly to solve the situation of your constituents,” Idris said.
He commended stakeholders, including the Nigeria Police Force and political parties, for their contributions toward ensuring a peaceful and credible exercise.
Addressing journalists shortly after receiving his certificate, Maikalangu expressed appreciation to God and the electorate, describing the occasion as the “final bus stop” in the electoral process.
The chairman pledged to continue his development agenda, with a strong focus on rural communities.
According to him, the bulk of his administration’s projects would be directed to those areas.
“Anytime you talk about local government, you are talking about local people. As usual, I am going to give the rural areas 80 per cent because most of my activities dwell there.
“I want to thank them for giving me their votes, and I will give them back that dividend of democracy,” he said.
Maikalangu noted that development would be tailored to the specific needs of each ward, pointing out that areas such as Kabusa and Garki require particular attention due to their size and unique demands.
He also extended an olive branch to his political opponents, calling for collaboration in the interest of the council’s progress.
“We were not enemies from the beginning. I don’t insult my rivals; we are all political friends. Let them come and join us so that whatever ideas they have, we can move AMAC forward together,” he added.
In his remarks, Vice Chairman-elect Mohammed Nadabo assured residents that the new administration would operate an open-door policy and remain responsive to the needs of the people.
“In some wards, they may need water; in others, it is education or infrastructure. We understand the peculiarities, and we will operate in tandem with what is available at our disposal so that we do not create a questionable impression in the minds of our citizens,” Nadabo said.
APC won five of the six chairmanship seats across the Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory in the February 21 elections.
The party secured victories in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Abaji, Bwari, Kwali, and Kuje, while the Peoples Democratic Party won the chairmanship seat in INEC’s hands certificates of return to the AMAC Chairman, other FCT winners